Reciprocative actuating mechanism



R. D. SMITH.

RECIPROCATIVE ACTUATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4. 1916. RENEWED Nov. I7. I9I9.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

UNITED STATESY PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND D. SMITH, OF MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TREMONT PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

RECPROCATIVE ACTUATING MECHANISM.

VSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug". 24, 1920.

Application led August 14, 1916, Serial No. 114,782. Renewed November 17, 1919. Serial No. 338,533.

for a rotative, reciprocating control device` or element. (such as, for example, a rotary valve member) wherein by reciprocative rotation, through a limited number of degrees, the device (or valve member) effects appropriate control of some ultimate means, (e. vf/.Y

opens or closes valve ports) as desired.

i More lparticularly the present invention concerns an improvement inthe type of partially automatic gas valve actuating` mechanism disclosed in my co-pending applica-- tion, lSerial No. 110,95),tiled July 2st, 19l6. in such apparatus it is sometimes desired to have a Ytree movement ot the gas port control device in one direction, but to have the movement in the other direction, or a part thereof, effected automaticallyg-and for that purpose means are `provided whereby the device is maintained by a stop or detent against full movement in said otherv direction but tension is established to cause such movement automatically v,after a desired delay intervah'the stop or detent being` then automatically retracted.

lt is convenient to combine the port control devi-ce and the automatic actuating means with single actingor unitary control meansavhercby movement ot the device in both directions is lprimarily secured orV governed. Y

in such an arrangement, l have found it advantageous, for certain purposes, to provide a further developedmeans oi" actuation and control whereby, through the same man` ual, or other, controlling instrumentalities4 the port control device., after having' been put under such tension, and under the con trol of said automatic means for desired movement, may be given the desired movement immediately and without awaiting` the time 4interval requisite for the securing of such movement by said automatic means.

For the salte of simplicity in manual operation, l preferably so associate the said further ieans of actuation and control with the said unitary control means that a mere repetition ot the manual act initially adapted to place the said device under control ot said automatic actuatingmeans, and of' said detent, may release such device 'from restraint by such dctent. thereby causing' inimediate and undelayed movement.

My invention, therefore, provides means in such a described combination for accom plishing the described purpose.

The particular embodiment of my invention, herein chosen for illustrative purposes only. is adapted tor use with an illuminating' njas burner, and although the scope ot my invention is by nomeans coniined to such use, it will be obvious that when so used a `specific object thereof is to provide, in conventional Jform, simple, and preferably reciprocating, manual control means for the valve governing the supply ot aas to such burner, whereby said valve be opened by actuation et said control means in one direction, and put under control ot automatic means for causing a delayed closure thereof, by actuation of said control means in the reverse direction; and whereby repetition ot the last said actuation shall cause immediate closure of said valve.

Other details and objects ot my invention will appearl from the drawings, description, and claims hereof.

In the drawings: Figure l is a 'side view, in elevation, of a structurally combined open flame gas burner and controlling; valve therefor, together with mechanism 'for actuatingsaid valve, in which mechanism embodied one form of my present invention, the mechanism casing' beine` shown broken away; Fig. 2 is a iront view oi the device shown in Fig'. l looking' at the right of the lat-ter ligure with. the casingomitted, the parts being positioned lso as to permit normal operation oi the burner: Fie: 3 is an enlarged plan view of the valve actuatinrmechanism taken partly in section on the horizontal planes in Fig. G; Fig. 4 shows, on larger scale, the mechanism ot Fig. 2 at the beginning` et its movement adapted to cause closure of the valve and thereby entingruishment of the light; Fig. 5 shows the position of parts at the extreme of the movement begun in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows the position of parts after being' released by thc manual or other actuatingy means -which caused the movement of parts 'from their positions as shown in Fig. 2 to Y tinguished.

the position in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows the position ofparts brought about by repetition of the actuation represented in Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial section, taken on the vertical plane 8-8 in Fig. 1, showing the arrangementof operative valve ports and their relation during normal operation of the illuminating burner; F ig. 9 is a section similar to 8 showing the relation of ports after actuation of the eX- tinguishing means but before automatic closure 'of the valve; Fig. 10 shows the re! lation of ports after the light has been eX- Throughout the drawings and in the following description, similar parts are designated by like numerals.

In Fig. V1 the flame ofthe main burner appears at 16. The usual burner stem 11 is shown mounted upon a valve block 12, which block contains the usual tapered valve plug 15 lying horizontally transverse of the upright mainr gas passage 18, which plug byl rotation is adapted in the usual manner to govern the supply 'of gas to the burner. The valve plug 15 has avstem 30 extending axially from its smallerend, and carrying a loose spacing collar 34, a loose irregularly shaped, doublefended lever 35 and a double-extensioned dog member 36, said dog member being made fast to the end of the valve stem by va key screw 42. y

A coiled spring 38 connects the lever 35 and the dog member 36 in such a way as normally to maintain a. radially projecting spur portion 24 of the former in engagement with a rearwardly 4extending arm 37 of thev latter, such engagement establishing the-normal rotative relation ofthese parts shownV in Figs. 2,4Aand 7; Y Y

At one end of the lever 35 is shown pivoted abell-crank latch 66 suitably limit,- ed in its movement and yieldingly held in a position by the spring 73 such that-the latch may engage with a stationary projection 78 and thereby lockthe lever 35 in the position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 when this lever is made to assume such position.

On the opposite side of the fulcrum the lever 35 carries a compound lever arrangement consisting of an auxiliary control arm 26 pivoted tothe lever 35 at 27, extending exterior of the mechanism casing, and carrying pivoted thereto a short pawl lfinger 28 swingable about its pivot 29,l intoand out of a position in which suoli pawl'nger has a function by its movement with the arm 26 to be referred to hereafter. The pawl finger 28 is normally, but yieldingly, maintained in its operative position by the spring 39 and by astop projection 40 carried byy the rpawl finger, while the auxiliary control arm, itself, is normally and yieldingly maintained in a position relative to the-lever 35 such as is shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 by the spring 41 and by its spur portion 51, which latter is adapted' to engagewith a forwardly projecting stop.v 43 on the -lever 35. j The forwardly bent extremity 44 of the lever 35 serves as another Vstop for the auxiliary control arm 26, by engagement with a curved notch 49 in the latter, and acts operatively upon a cam portion 50 of the pawl finger 28 to render the latter inoperative'to performits heretofore mentioned functiony when said bent extremity of the control lever 35 is fully engaged withthe notch 49.

The dog member 36 carries lat the ex-v tremity of a radial extension 45, thereof, a yoked latch member 46 pivoted thereto and arranged to yield in only a'counter-cloclrwise direction in Fig. 7, against the tension of the small coiled spring 48. Y

Lying normally in the path of movement of the latch member 46 is a spur-shaped detent 52, carried fast to the inner surface of a curved, bi-metallic thermostat 53, which latter is securely anchored at one end to a projecting abutment extending forwardly from the upright, circular supporting plate This supporting plate is mounted rigidly on the valve block 12 and carries a stationary roller abutment 61 internally adjacent to the free end of the thermostat and is adapted to reinforce the latter against excessive flexural yielding when said thermostat is subjected to the thrust imparted by pressure of the latch member 46' upon the spur detent 52 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The thermostat is arranged to open, or straighten, upon being thermally energized, which movement it will beV plain, retracts the detent. 52 radially outwardly and away from the path of Amovement 'of the latch member 46.

Clamped to the mounted end of the ther-y withthe valve block 1.2 and of VBunsenY burner construction, to whichV the supply of gas may be regulated by the screw23. As shown in Fig. 9, the valve vplug 15 has an additional port 19 adapted to register, in suitable rotative position of the: former. with a corresponding 'porti20 in the valve block. which latter port leads to the burner 21. Gas may thus be delivered tothe burner 21 'under control of the valve plug 15, whereupon such gas will rise and ignite from the heat of the main flame l0, subsequentlyburning' at the mouth of the burner 21 with a hot, blue, flame from which ieat may be transmitted to the thermostat by the heat conducting member 56. A casing 33, is provided to house the mechanism and convenient manual control is provided by the cords 65 and 68.

` Having` thus described the construction of a particularand useful application of my present invention, l shall new explain the operation thereof, assuming the parts to be positioned as shoivn inV Figs. 1 and 2, Where, the valve ports a e related as'shoivn in Fig. S, and Where it Will be clear that the main burner is lighted and adapted to operate for an indefinite period of time, the auxiliary burner receivingr no fuel and therefore being inactive. lVhen it be desired to cause extinguishment ofthe light by closing the valve, cord G5 is pulled doivnwardly, causing a movement of parts to the positions shown in Fig. 1l, and further, to the position of certain parts indicated by broken lines in this figure, When, as shown in Fig. 5, the movement of latch member lo and thereby of the dog member 36 and valve plug' l5 is intercepted by the spur detent 59. After such interception, however, further pull upon the cord 65 effects a movement of the lever 35 and its carried parts, against tension of the spring 38, to the position shown in Fig. 5, Where the lever 35 is shown locked under such tension by means of the latch 6G as heretofore explained. .lt should be noted, that during,r this Vlatter movement of parts, although the end 59 of the pawl linger 28 designedlyvproiects into axial ahnement with the free end 60 of the thermostat 53, this pawl finger has not engaged the end of the thermostat, having been swung radially inwardly, by the cam action of the bent end 44 of the lever 35, said end being),` fully engaged With the notch al in the auxiliary control arm 2G as shown in Fig. 5.

Upon release of the cord 65, the control 4arm 26 is returned to its position as shown in F ig. 6' by the spring` 41, during Which movement the end 59 of the pawl linger may Wipe by the end 50 of the thermostat. The valve ports are now related as shoivn in Fig'. 9 andV `eas is thereby delivered to the auxiliary heating' burner 2l which ignites from the flame l0 as heretofore explained and acts to heat the thermostat. Upon being thus heated, the thermostat straightens or bends generally outwardly assuming after a cert in time intervalthe position indicated by brolien lines in Fig. o, .vherein the detent 52. h as'becn retracted and the dog; member beingF thus released has been rotatively impelled by the spring to the position shovvn in F ig. 7, causing thereby a relation of valve ports such as shown in Fig. 1() where all gas supply to both the main and auxiliary burners has been stopped, and such burners consequently eX- tinguished.

lf however it be desired to accomplish such extinguishment Without awaiting the time interval requisite to heat the thermostat and cause such action automatically, cord G5 may again be pulled. This second actuation, since the pawl finger is now in its normal position, uninfluenced by the end il of lever 35, causes pawl linger 2S to engage with the end of the thermostat and by pressure thereupon, to produce a flexure of said thermostat substantially equivalent to its thermally caused ilexure, whereby, it will be clear, that immediate closure of the valve vand entinguishment of the light will be had.

lllhen it be desired to again open the valve to supply fuel to the burner, cord (SS is pulled, Which first ivill'niove the latch GG to its broke. line position in Fig. G, thus unlocking the lever which latter may then be restored. together with all of its carried parts, to the originaL position as in Fig. 2, whereupon the main burner may be lighted and remain in. operation indefinitely or until subsequent actuation of cord G5.

lt'Will be evident to those skilled in the art, that the particular embodiment of my invention Which l have herein described is but one Yof many possible applications of the principles and spirit of my true invention, such means of accomplishing such multiple functions by simple control means being advantageous to diverse mechanisms entirely foreign to the control of flou'.

Without therefore, limiting the scope ot my invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, what l claim as my invention is: y

l. r-ictuating mechanism for operating a tension rotated device embodying, in combination `vith said device; a spring-connected actuator member arranged by movenient to a relatively advanced vposition to tension said device for rotative follow-up movement; an automati vally governed detent normally operative to prevent said foli low-up movement of said device; a releasable detent for holding' said member in its said advanced position when said device is so tensioned;` and separately' aetuatable means for tripping said automatically governed detent,-said means being operably related to' said member and arranged to be rendered inoperative thereby except when said member is held in its said advanced position. i

2. actuating mechanism for operating a tension-rotated device, embodying in combination with saiddevice; a pivoted actuator member having a resilient connection to said device and adapted to be locked in a position to .tension said device for rotative movement; a movable detent normally arranged and positioned to prevent said movement of said device thereby to hold the latter rotatively separated from said member when the member is moved to its said,po sition; and tripping mechanism mounted for movement relative to said member and adapted upon separate actuation to free said device from said detent, said mechanism being operatively related to said member thereby to be maintained inoperative to trip said detent except when said. member is locked in its said position.

3. Actuatingnieclianism for operating a tension-rotated device, embodying in combination with said device; an oscillatory actuator pivoted concentrically vvith said de- -vice and having a resilient connection theretoY and abutting engagement therewith,

whereby said member and said device are" normally maintained in definite rotative relation but rotatably separable in oneV direction ot relative oscillation; alatch to lock said member in an extreme position thereby to tension said device for ollovv-up movement relative to said member; a movable detent normally arranged and positioned to prevent said follow-up movement of said device when said member is moved to its said position; and tripping mechanism mounted for movement relative to said meinber and adapted for separate actuation to free said device from said detent; said tripping mechanism being constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative to-trip said detent except When said member is locked in its said position. 4. Actuating means for a rotative device adapted for reciprocative movement, embodying, in combination v'vith said device; a member concentrically pivoted with said device; a resilient, normally tensioned connection ybetween said device and member, the said devicejand member being A:further so cooperativelyformed that relative rotative movement therebetween is positively limited;-means partly carried by saidV member, to releasably hold said member proximate to an extreme rotative position; a movable detent and arranged and positioned normally to intercept and hold said device'rotatively separated from said member When said connected device and member are moved in a direction'toWard said position; and means carried Yby said member and yadapted upon actuation to release said device from said detent;said last mentioned means being constructed and arranged to be maintained inoperative Yuntil said member has been locked in said extreme position.

5. '1n combinationpvvith actuating means for a .rotatable device mountedv for limited instrumentalities therefor, including a movandadapted for limited movement'relative thereto,-said tripping device extending radially from said member'` to serveas an actuating extension for the latter.

6. 1n vcombination with actuating means for a rotatable device adapted for limited,

reciprocativemovement, said device havingv controlling instrumentalities therefor associated with a movable detent'normally arranged' and positioned to arrest the movement of said device in one direction; a pivoted, reciprocating member having resilient connection to said device whereby said de! vice may be tensioned for movement in said direction, against the action of said detent; and a spring actuated pawl arrangement carried by said member and comprising an arm pivoted thereto and extending therefrom to serve as an actuating medium vtherefor, together vvith a tripping pavvl, carried by said arm, and normally'adapted by movement therewith to release said device from restraint by said detent, but so formed and positioned as to be operatively engaged by a portion of said pivoted member, during actuation ot the latter by said arm, and thereby to be displaced from a position operative to cause such release of said device.

7. Actuating means for a rotative, reciprolcative, device having associated controlling instrumentalities adapted to permit free movement of the device in one direction, and including a detent normally positioned to intercept said device in the reverse direction7 said actuating means embodying, in combination; a double-ended lever pivoted concentrically With said rotative device, having positive engagement therewith to effect said iree movement of the device, and having resilient connection therewith ttor etliecting movement of said device in said reverse direction, and to tension said device for further movement when the latter is intercepted by said detent; a latch arranged to lock said pivoted lever automatically When said device is so tensioned, said latch being carried by said pivoted member and forming an actuating extension therefor; and an arin pivoted to said lever and also forming an actuating extension therefor, said arm carrying pivoted thereto a spring actuated pawl, the said arm and the said pavvl being so coperatively kformed Vand associated and so operatively-positioned on said pivoted member that movement of said arm relative to said pivoted member when the latter is locked by said latch shall-be operative, by

'means or' said pawl, to release said device Y.tively in one direction only, and provided with oppositely disposed radial arms fixed thereto; a latch device partially carried by one, of said arms and operatively associated therewith to automatically and releasably lock said member near one extreme or' its travel; means lixed to said valve stem and arranged to engage with a detentoperably related to said thermostat, thereby to intercept thevalve stem in its non-positive movement caused by movement of said member toward its said locked position; andvmeans carriel by the other arm or said member and operatively related to said thermostat in the said locked position ot said member, to eil'ectrelease of the valve stem from restraint bysaid detent, upon actuation of said last mentioned means. Y

9. Actua-ting meansl for a rotative valve stem having operatively associated therewith automatic valve turn-ing means including a ckmtrolling` thermostat, and embodying in combination; a member concentrically pivoted with said valve stem and adapted for limited, reciprocative movement, said member being resiliently connected to the valve stem, and arranged to move said stem positively in one direction only, and provided with oppositely disposed, radial arms lixed thereto; a latch lever pivoted to one of said arms and extending` therefrom to automatically and releasably lock said member near one extreme of its travel and also to serve as an actuating medium tor said member; means lixed to said valve stem and arranged to engage with a detent operably related to said thermostat, thereby to intercept the valve stem in its non-positive movement caused by movement of said member to the latters locked position; and an auxiliary lever pivoted to the other radial arm of said Vmember and extending therefrom to serve as an actuating medium theretor; togetherwith a tripping pawl, carried c, by said auxiliary arm and normally'adapted,

in said. locked position or the said member and by movement with said auxiliary arm, to deflect said thermostat, and thereby to release said valve stem from restraint by saiddetent; said pawl beingso formed and positioned as to be operatively engaged by a portion of said pivoted member, during actuation or the latter by said auxiliary arm, and thereby to be displaced from a position operative to cause such release o1 said valve stem.

l0. ctuating means for a rotative gas valve stem having operatively associated therewith automatic valve turning means including a controlling thermostat, and embodying in combination; a member concentrically pivoted with said valve stem and adapted for limited, reciprocative movement, said member being resiliently connected to the valve stem, and arranged to move said stem positively in one direction only, and provided with oppositely disposed, radial arms fixed thereto, a latch lever pivoted to one or said arms and extending therefrom to automatically and releasably loclr said member near one extreme ot its travel, and also to serve as an actuating medium lor said member, means. tixed to said valve stem and arranged to engage with a detent operably related to said thermostat, Ythereby to intercept the valve stem in its non-positive movement caused by movement of said member toward its said locked pesition; and an auxiliary arm pivoted to the other radial arm or said member and also termino* an actuatinc` extension therelior i E) D 1 said auxiliary arm carrying pivoted thereto a spring actuated pawl, the said auxiliary arm and the said pawl being so coperatively formed and associated and so operatively positioned on said pivoted member that movement ot said auxiliary arm relative to said member, when the latter is locked by said latch lever, shall be operative to detlect the thermostat by means of said pawl, thereby to release said valve stem from restraint by said detent.

1l. Actuating means for a rotative gas valve stem having operatively associated therewith automatic valve turning means including a controlling thermostat, and embodying in combination; a member concentrically pivoted with said valve stem and adapted for limited, reciprocative movement, said member being resiliently connected to the valve stem, and arranged to move said stem positively in one direction only, and being provided with oppositely disposed, radial arms lixed thereto, a latch lever pivoted to one of said arms and extending therefrom to automatically and releasably lock said member near one extreme of its travel, and also to serve as an actuating medium tor said member; means ixed to said valve stem and arranged to engage with a detent operably related to said thermostat, thereby to intercept the valve stem in its non-positive movement caused by movement of said inember toward its said locked position; and an auxiliary arm pivoted to the other arm of said member and also forming an actuating extension therefor, said auxiliary arm being so formed and so positioned on said CID Y* member that movement of said auxiliary arm about its pivot when said member is in its locked position shall be operative to de- {le-ct the detent-engaged' thermostat, thereby 'to cause a release to said valve stem'from restraint bysaid detent, and so that common movement of said auxiliary arm With said arranged to `be energized therefor by stroke of said extension inone direction; a detent normally operative ,to prevent said movement of said device; and mechanism to trip said. detent for vfreeing said device, said Vmeclianism being arranged cooperatively with said extension to be'rendered inoperative thereby until a repetition of a part of said extension stroke in said direction.

13. A gasvalve embodying an oscillatory v gas port. control member; an oscillatory actuator element inounted'to swing with, and positively to impel, said member in one'vdirection of its oscillation, and :further arranged :tor swinging displacement relative theretoin the opposite direction. or" oscillation; a springconnection between'said element and said'member whereby said relative displacement of saidelement tensions saidY member for follow-up movement from a port-opening to a port-closing position; ak

deteiit arranged normally to prevent said follow-up movement of said member when said element is displaced therefrom; means to hold said element so displaced; and normally inactive, slow-acting instrumentalities arranged to be operatively energized when said element'is so displaced, and thereby rendered active to free said member from said detent after a substantial interval of time; together y with separately aetuatable mechanism for dir ctly tripping said detent, said mechanism being varranged to be held inoperative until said member and said element are relatively displaced.

Ji. Ingas valve control apparatus of the type wherein a rotatable port control member is tensioned for port-closing rotative movementby the locking 'or' a spring-connected actuator tliereforin a certain position, and wherein an automatically governed detent is normally arranged to prevent said port-closing movement, the combination Vwith said elementand with said detent; of

a separatelyactuatable tripping device for freeing said member from said detent, said device boing ope'rably related to said element `and thereby rendered inoperative until after said element is locked in its saidV tensioning position.

Signed in Boston, Massachusetts, this 12th day of August, 1916. Y.

l RAYMOND D. SMITH. Y Witnesses:

J. E. BLAGKMAN, Jiiuns D. GORDON. 

